The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 12, 2014

Remarks by the President to Women Members of Congress

Roosevelt Room

4:17 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, it’s an honor for me to welcome these outstanding women members of Congress. 

And I think that over the last several weeks and months, what the American people have seen is my single-most important priority domestically is to make sure that everybody in this country has opportunity; that if you’re willing to work hard and take responsibility, you can make it.  At a time when the economy is growing, at a time when corporate profits are high and the stock market is doing well, we want to make sure that everybody is benefitting from that growth, because what we know is when everybody has opportunity, when everybody is on the field, America’s economy grows faster, the middle class expands, and that, in turn, fosters more growth.

Now, recently, my economic team did a report that delivered some good news.  It turns out that women are succeeding in colleges and graduate education like never before.  They are more represented in professions and occupations that previously they were restricted from participating in.  And what we’ve seen in our own families and our own lives is that there are doors that have been opened to women that previously were closed.

And yet, despite that progress, despite that good news, what we also know is women are still making 77 cents on the dollar, including when they enter into these high-paying professions, they’re making less money.  We know that women continue to be disproportionately represented in low-wage professions, which means that something like an increase in the federal minimum wage is going to have a disproportionate impact on them.  And women are still the ones that are carrying the greatest burden when it comes to trying to balance family and work.  Because of inadequate childcare, or the inability to get paid leave for a sick child or an ailing parent, they end up suffering the burdens -- and, by the way, that means families are suffering the burden, because, increasingly, women are a critical breadwinner for families all across the country.

So it is with that in mind that we’ve been working on, many of the women who are here today and other members of Congress, on organizing a White House Summit on Working Families that is going to take place this summer on June 23rd.  And this will give us an opportunity to build on the work that we’re doing here in the White House around issues like minimum wage, around issues like family leave, around issues like equal pay.  But we’re also going to be able to invite other stakeholders, folks outside of Washington, people who are able to tell their story, talk about their experiences -- governors and mayors, business leaders -- all of whom can work together with us to make sure that we’re advancing not just the interests of women but the interests of families and the interests of the middle class and people who are trying to get into the middle class. 

So I’m tremendously grateful for the leadership that the members of Congress have already shown on this issue.  I am proud that we have taken some initiatives on our own, because sometimes Congress is a little stubborn about these issues -- at least some of our good friends on the other side of the aisle.  But we’re going to keep on pressing.  Because if we work together, this is a great opportunity for the United States to take some leaps forward.

One of our greatest strengths, by the way, is that -- compared to some other countries -- our participation of women in the workforce gives us a potential economic advantage.  But we’ve got to make sure that we’re actually fulfilling that promise, and that’s what this conference will be all about, this summit will be all about during this summer.

So with that, I’d like to have the two women seated next to me just make brief remarks.  First of all, our outstanding Leader of the Democrats in the House and first female Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.  And she will be followed by somebody who has been doing a lot of work on budget stuff, but understands also family budgets and why this is so important -- Senator Patty Murray.

So, Nancy.

LEADER PELOSI:  Thank you very much, Mr. President, for bringing us together and thank you for your leadership on the White House Summit for Working Families.  As you know, the House and Senate women have been working on our agendas in this regard, reflecting the values and the approaches you have put forth.  Thank you for mentioning in the State of the Union -- when women succeed, America succeeds.  It’s not a slogan; it’s a statement of fact.  (Laughter.)  That’s why when you talk you about paycheck fairness or you talk about paid sick leave and the work-family balance, and you talk about early childhood learning, you have initiatives in all of these areas.  And as you said at the end, it’s really important -- not just for women and families and men, but for our economy -- that women succeed. 

So thank you for inviting us to talk about how we go forward with the summit and thank you for being out there, and thank Michelle, too.  (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT:  She’s on me about this all the time.  (Laughter.)

LEADER PELOSI:  Thank you, Mr. President.

SENATOR MURRAY:  As she should.  (Laughter.) 

Mr. President, thank you so much.  We are delighted to join you at this really important discussion along with Leader Pelosi and all of our colleagues to talk about one of the most important issues facing our economy today, and that is the ability for women in America to have the kinds of opportunities to participate and really help grow our economy. 

You mentioned that women earn 77 cents on the dollar.  If you put that another way, women work for free until April Fool’s Day -- and then we get our first check.  And that is an economic issue to women in America and one that we’re going to be addressing in the Senate very soon along with raising the minimum wage, which affects two-thirds of the people on minimum wage, as working women. 

The other issues that you’re talking about are so important to families, whether it’s childcare or family leave, the policies that affect our families, affect the ability of a woman to do the best job.  You, as a woman, do a good job at work if you know your kids are okay; we were just talking about that.  And we want to make sure that we address that broad range of issues to help make sure that we help this economy grow and prosper, and we really appreciate your leadership.

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you very much, everybody.

Q    Are you concerned about Senator -- the CIA was spying on the Senate?

THE PRESIDENT:  I’ll just say a quick statement on the CIA issue.  The first day I came into office, I ended the practices that are subject to the investigation by the Senate committee, and have been very clear that I believe they were contrary to our values as a country.

Since that time, we have worked with the Senate committee so that the report that they are putting forward is well-informed, and what I’ve said is that I am absolutely committed to declassifying that report as soon as the report is completed.  In fact, I would urge them to go ahead and complete the report, send it to us.  We will declassify those findings so that the American people can understand what happened in the past, and that can help guide us as we move forward.

With respect to the issues that are going back and forth between the Senate committee and the CIA, John Brennan has referred them to the appropriate authorities and they are looking into it.  And that’s not something that is an appropriate role for me and the White House to wade into at this point. 

But the one thing that I want to emphasize is the substantive issue -- which is how do we operate even when we’re threatened, even when we’ve gone through extraordinary trauma -- has to be consistent with rule of law and our values.  And I acted on that on the first day, and that hasn’t changed.

Thanks very much, everybody.

END  
4:26 P.M. EDT

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 12, 2014

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Visit of Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny

President Obama will welcome Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Enda Kenny of Ireland to the White House on Friday, March 14.  The United States and Ireland share a strong bilateral relationship; deep cultural, historic, and people-to-people bonds; and a shared commitment to advancing peace, security, and prosperity in the world.  In the morning, the Vice President will host the Taoiseach for breakfast at the Naval Observatory, and the President will meet with the Taoiseach in the Oval Office.  Subsequently, the President and the Vice President will attend the traditional St. Patrick’s Day lunch at the U.S. Capitol.  In the early evening, the President and the First Lady will host a reception to celebrate their sixth St. Patrick’s Day at the White House.  During the reception, the President and Kenny will participate in the annual Shamrock ceremony started under President Truman.

Also on March 14, the Vice President will meet with First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness of Northern Ireland at the White House to discuss progress toward building a peaceful and prosperous future for the people of Northern Ireland.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 12, 2014

Message to the Congress -- Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Iran

TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date. In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency with respect to Iran that was declared on March 15, 1995, is to continue in effect beyond March 15, 2014.

The crisis between the United States and Iran resulting from the actions and policies of the Government of Iran has not been resolved. The Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) between the P5+1 and Iran went into effect on January 20, 2014, for a period of 6 months. This marks the first time in a decade that Iran has agreed to and taken specific actions to halt its nuclear program and to roll it back in key respects. In return for Iran's actions on its nuclear program, the P5+1, in coordination with the European Union, are taking actions to implement the limited, temporary, and reversible sanctions relief outlined in the JPOA.

Nevertheless, certain actions and policies of the Government of Iran are contrary to the interests of the United States in the region and continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. For these reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared with respect to Iran and to maintain in force comprehensive sanctions against Iran to deal with this threat.

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 12, 2014

Notice to the Congress -- Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Iran

NOTICE

- - - - - - -

CONTINUATION OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT TO IRAN

On March 15, 1995, by Executive Order 12957, the President declared a national emergency with respect to Iran, pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706), to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States constituted by the actions and policies of the Government of Iran. On May 6, 1995, the President issued Executive Order 12959, imposing more comprehensive sanctions on Iran to further respond to this threat. On August 19, 1997, the President issued Executive Order 13059, consolidating and clarifying the previous orders. I took additional steps pursuant to this national emergency in Executive Order 13553 of September 28, 2010, Executive Order 13574 of May 23, 2011, Executive Order 13590 of November 20, 2011, Executive Order 13599 of February 5, 2012, Executive Order 13606 of April 22, 2012, Executive Order 13608 of May 1, 2012, Executive Order 13622 of July 30, 2012, Executive Order 13628 of October 9, 2012, and Executive Order 13645 of June 3, 2013.

While the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) between the P5+1 and Iran that went into effect on January 20, 2014, marks the first time in a decade that Iran has agreed to and taken specific actions to halt its nuclear program and roll it back in key respects, certain actions and policies of the Government of Iran continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. For this reason, the national emergency declared on March 15, 1995, must continue in effect beyond March 15, 2014. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency with respect to Iran declared in Executive Order 12957. The emergency declared by Executive Order 12957 constitutes an emergency separate from that declared on November 14, 1979, by Executive Order 12170. This renewal, therefore, is distinct from the emergency renewal of November 2013.

This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 12, 2014

President Obama Signs South Carolina Disaster Declaration

Today, the President declared a major disaster in the State of South Carolina and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by a severe winter storm during the period of February 10-14, 2014. 

Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm in the counties of Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Berkeley, Calhoun, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Colleton, Dillon, Dorchester, Edgefield, Florence, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Marion, Orangeburg, Saluda, Sumter, and Williamsburg.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide. 

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Joe M. Girot as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.

FEMA said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 12, 2014

Statement of G-7 Leaders on Ukraine

We, the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission, call on the Russian Federation to cease all efforts to change the status of Crimea contrary to Ukrainian law and in violation of international law.  We call on the Russian Federation to immediately halt actions supporting a referendum on the territory of Crimea regarding its status, in direct violation of the Constitution of Ukraine.
 
Any such referendum would have no legal effect.  Given the lack of adequate preparation and the intimidating presence of Russian troops, it would also be a deeply flawed process which would have no moral force.  For all these reasons, we would not recognize the outcome.
 
Russian annexation of Crimea would be a clear violation of the United Nations Charter; Russia’s commitments under the Helsinki Final Act; its obligations to Ukraine under its 1997 Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership; the Russia-Ukraine 1997 basing agreement; and its commitments in the Budapest Memorandum of 1994.  In addition to its impact on the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, the annexation of Crimea could have grave implications for the legal order that protects the unity and sovereignty of all states.  Should the Russian Federation take such a step, we will take further action, individually and collectively.
 
We call on the Russian Federation to de-escalate the conflict in Crimea and other parts of Ukraine immediately, withdraw its forces back to their pre-crisis numbers and garrisons, begin direct discussions with the Government of Ukraine, and avail itself of international mediation and observation offers to address any legitimate concerns it may have.  We, the leaders of the G-7, urge Russia to join us in working together through diplomatic processes to resolve the current crisis and support progress for a sovereign independent, inclusive and united Ukraine.  We also remind the Russian Federation of our decision to suspend participation in any activities related to preparation of a G-8 Sochi meeting  until it changes course and the environment comes back to where the G-8 is able to have a meaningful discussion.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 11, 2014

Remarks by the President at DSCC Dinner -- NY, NY

Private Residence
New York, New York

7:20 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, everybody.  (Applause.)  Well, let me start by just thanking Tony and Amie and the James family for hosting this wonderful dinner.  And they have been great friends.  I will say that the last time I saw them they were dancing well past their curfew.  (Laughter.)  But I probably shouldn’t say anything about that in front of the press. (Laughter.) 

I also want to acknowledge the new mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio, and his wonderful partner and powerhouse, Chirlane, who are here today.  And we are so looking forward to the great work that they’re going to do here in New York, and obviously we want to be a partner with this city.  As many of you know, I've got a deep, abiding love for New York, having gone to school here and spent a bunch of time here, and seeing all the energy and possibilities, I'm very, very excited and very invested in your success.

I also want to acknowledge one of the finest public servants in the country, who has a very thankless job, and that is to try to make sure that we have a Democratic Senate, which means he has to travel constantly away from his gorgeous daughters and his wonderful wife -- Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado.  (Applause.)  So I just wanted to acknowledge him as well. 

Tony pretty much summed it up so I don't have to really say much.  (Laughter.)  I’ll just put a little flesh on the bones.  Over the last five years, our economy has recovered faster and stronger from the worst financial crisis and economic crisis since the Great Depression, better than any other developed country on Earth.  And you can take a look at the charts and see that because of the actions we took -- because of the Recovery Act, because of the Fed -- because of swift, coordinated action, we have bounced back.

We've created 8.5 million new jobs over the last five years. We've had four years of consecutive job growth as well as economic growth.  We have seen an auto industry that was basically flat-lining rebound in ways that very few people would have anticipated.  The stock market is close to the highest that it's ever been; close to $10 trillion of wealth has been recovered that was lost. 

On the energy front, we’ve produced more energy than we ever have before.  We're importing less.  We have doubled clean-energy production.  And we've done all this while reducing carbon emissions that cause climate change faster than other developed countries, including Europe -- including the entire continent of Europe. 

Not only have we already provided health care for millions of people who didn’t have it before -- the latest report is we've got well over 4 million people who’ve already signed up through the exchanges; we've got 3 million young people who are staying on their parents’ health care that didn’t have that opportunity before; we've got millions more who are signed up for Medicaid, including here in New York City -- but we've done all this while seeing the increase in health care costs go up at the slowest rate in 50 years.

On the education front, we've seen unprecedented movements for reform all across the country.  The dropout rate has been reduced.  The Latino dropout rate has been cut in half.  And so as -- and then we've done all this while also reducing the deficit in half so that we are on a glide path for a deficit-to-GDP ratio that is sustainable. 

That's not bad.  And yet, if you talk to folks around the country, there is still enormous anxiety and people feel uncertain about their futures, and more importantly, their children’s futures.  And why is that?  Because although we have rebounded and we are growing and there are all kinds of indicators that tell us that the 21st century can be the American Century just like the 20th was, that growth has been uneven and the beneficiaries of that growth have been uneven.

Now, obviously, anybody who has got a 401(k) has benefitted from the stock market recovering, but a lot of people don't have 401(k)s; don't have any kind of retirement accounts at all.  Corporate profits have done very well, but wages and incomes have been more or less flat.  Those are trends that were true even before the financial crisis and they’ve continued and in some ways accelerated.

Some of this has to do with globalization.  A lot of it has to do with technology.  But it is within our power to make sure that this economy not only grows but it grows in a broad-based way so that every child in this country has opportunity, and so that what has always been the engine of American prosperity -- that sense that brings people from all across the world to come here, that sense that if you work hard you can make it here in America -- that dream can be sustained.  But we're going to have to take some concrete steps to do it.

And a lot of this stuff in a normal political environment would be noncontroversial.  We've got $2 trillion worth of deferred maintenance -- and I suspect the Mayor is rapidly figuring out that there are going to be a lot more potholes this year because of the winter.  We could rebuild our roads, our bridges.  The next generation of air traffic control could reduce travel times drastically for flyers all across the country and reduce fuel and carbon emissions by about 30 percent, and create a whole bunch of jobs for engineers, computer programmers and construction workers.  Why aren’t we doing it?  Interest rates are still low.  People want to work.  Contractors -- I can't speak about the contractors who worked on this house because that's always challenging, but -- (laughter) -- but contractors, they’re coming in on time and under budget.  They’re dying for work.  Why aren’t we rebuilding America right now?

We know that the country that has the highest-skilled workers are going to be able to attract more business.  The average age of a tradesman in Wisconsin is 59 years old.  Manufacturers, because of lower energy prices, are interested in coming here.  What is holding them back is they’re not sure that they can find enough skilled workers.  Why aren’t we training them?  We know that makes sense. 

In early childhood education, you invest a dollar, you get 7 bucks back; reduce crime rates; reduce teen pregnancy; reduce dropout rates.  We know it works.  Why aren’t we doing it?  We're not taking these basic steps.  Immigration reform -- everybody says the system is broken.  Republicans -- John Boehner acknowledges we need to change it.  Why is it that we're not going ahead and doing it?  The bill already passed out of the Senate on a bipartisan vote.  What’s holding us back?

What’s holding us back is politics.  What’s holding us back is an atmosphere in Washington that puts a premium on saying no; puts a premium on an eye towards the next election instead of delivering on behalf of the American people. 

Now, I said in my State of the Union I am prepared to work with anybody, and I've shown myself willing to work with anybody in order to advance America’s agenda.  And I've also said I can't wait, so if Congress isn't going to act, I'll do what I can to act.  I will work with cities that are interested in doing early childhood education.  I will work with the private sector to see if we can come up with creative ways to finance some of our infrastructure needs.  We'll go out there and do a whole bunch of stuff administratively to try to make government work better, more efficiently, deliver better services and advance a broad-based growth agenda.  But, man, it would be a lot easier if I had a Congress that was serious about America’s future.

There are some things I can't do by myself.  Congress has the power of the purse.  We cannot deal with infrastructure on the levels we need to without Congress.  I can do some things on immigration, but I cannot make sure that we have an immigration system that potentially could grow our economy by an extra trillion dollars without Congress’s help. 

And so that's why all of you are here today.  My argument is very simple:  Tony is right -- we have all the cards we need for America to compete.  And when you travel outside this country, what’s always remarkable to me is the degree to which people view us still with envy with respect to our economy.  They marvel at our resiliency.  They marvel at our dynamism.  They marvel at low natural gas prices -- they really marvel at that.  They marvel at the degree to which we can attract talent from around the world. They marvel at our university system, which is unmatched.  But to realize all our potential that's sitting there right now we've got to have a Washington that functions better.

And the fact of the matter is that Democrats are not without our flaws.  We have our blind spots and we have our dogmas and we've got our crazy folks.  (Laughter.)  But as a whole, this is a party that is serious about making sure that America is growing and offering opportunity to everybody.  And the story many of you here in this room have lived, the success that you’ve lived out, what we're about is making sure a whole bunch of kids behind us can live out that same success.  And if I have just a smidgeon of a cooperative Congress, think what we can do these next two and a half years.

So I need your help.  Michael Bennet needs your help.  And I hope you will all step up because, although I'm very optimistic about our long-term trends, the notion that we would waste two years in further inaction rather than move boldly on a path that I think all of us in this room agree on -- we don't have time to waste.  I don't have time to waste.  The clock is ticking.  There’s less than two years left -- less than three years left.  I want to squeeze every last little bit of work that I can during the remainder of my term so that, looking back, I'm going to be able to say that we left everything on the field and every single person I could help in this office -- which is such an incredible privilege -- I helped.

Thank you.  (Applause.) 

END
7:34 P.M. EDT

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 11, 2014

Remarks by National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice at the Department of State’s Global Chiefs of Mission Conference

Good afternoon everyone.  It’s really great to be back at the State Department and to be among so many good friends and colleagues, so thank you for welcoming me.  And I want to begin, not to start by calling you a liar Mr. Secretary—I was never an all-star basketball player, and it’s an oxymoron, at the National Cathedral School.  But I appreciate the sentiment behind it, and I thank you.  And I thank you for your friendship, thank you for those incredibly warm words, and it’s my great pleasure and honor to get to work together with you every day.  And I wanted in fact to begin by saluting Secretary Kerry for his extraordinary leadership of this Department.  As John said, we’ve been privileged to work together for over a decade in different capacities, and I can tell you that he only gets more energetic and more determined with time.  Serving as Secretary has truly highlighted the depth and the range of John’s expertise, and we are all fortunate to have such a tireless, world-class envoy leading American diplomacy.  And I know how much President Obama values John and relies on him to guide our foreign policy.  We see it every day and so I want to say Mr. Secretary, on behalf of all of us, thank you for all you are doing. 

Of course, it goes without saying that Secretary Kerry has a top-notch team supporting him, and among the great privileges I have is to have worked closely over many years now with Bill Burns, Wendy Sherman, Pat Kennedy and many others on just about every major issue area on our plate, and I’m thrilled to say welcome and congratulations to Heather Higginbottom our new Deputy now in place, and to the full roster of Under Secretaries who are now finally in their jobs.  So congratulations to Rose Gottemoeller, Sarah Sewall, Catherine Novelli, Rick Stengel and everyone, all of you who have been recently confirmed.   On behalf of President Obama, more importantly, I want to thank each and every one of you, our chiefs of mission, and your teams for the commitment you show and the sacrifices that you make every day.

I’ve spent much of my career working side-by-side with you, our outstanding diplomats and development experts.   I know the passion that goes into your work and the desire that you have to serve to the best of your ability.  Sadly, I’ve also experienced directly some of this Department’s greatest tragedies, including the bombings of our embassies in Kenya and Tanazania, and like all of you, continue to mourn the death of Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other brave Americans in Benghazi just 18 months ago. 

So you know, there will always be dangers.  Many of your posts are in conflict zones or in areas where insecurity poses daily risks to your personal safety.  The threat of terrorist attacks and extremist violence is often present.  And, we here back home have a solemn obligation to keep you safe.  At the same time, no one wants you locked behind embassy walls where you can’t do your jobs effectively.  We have to balance your security with our diplomatic imperatives.   And I know that you all find it frustrating at times, but please know that President Obama and all of us at the White House and the State Department are most concerned both that you stay safe and that the critical work you all do is not the casualty of another horrific attack.  So we are committed—even in this difficult budget environment—to making sure you have the resources and the support you need to carry out your mission as safely as possible.

Your mission, our diplomacy, is more vital than ever.  You all know better than anyone that, in moments of need, the world turns to the United States of America.  Even as we speak, many of our most talented diplomats are working around-the-clock to redress the situation in Ukraine and to de-escalate tensions with Russia.  We are working in close coordination with our European partners, offering assistance to the new government in Kyiv and making it clear to President Putin that his flagrant violation of international law comes at a real cost. 

Events in Ukraine bear out a fundamental truth about U.S. leadership in the 21st century.  And that is that real power is not the ability to intimidate and coerce, but rather the capacity to inspire people through the example of our values and the ability to rally other nations to meet shared challenges.  No one should ever doubt President Obama’s determination to protect Americans from threats to our national security.  And yet at the same time, he understands that, in his words, “our security and leadership depends on all elements of our power – including strong and principled diplomacy.” 

Our conduct on the world stage is what makes other countries want to partner with us.  And by that measure, no nation is doing more than the United States of America.  No nation can match our enduring strengths: our economic and military might, our resources, our innovation, our network of alliances, and our diverse and resilient people. No nation does more to help people lift themselves out of poverty.  No nation does more to defend universal rights and fundamental freedoms.  And still, no nation is better positioned to lead in this young century.   

So today, I’d like to share with you a few of the areas where the President and his Principals on the national security team are most focused.  I’ll start with our commitment to enhance global security.  By the end of this year, our combat mission in Afghanistan will be over.  The vast majority of our troops will be home, and the United States will continue taking steps to move off a long-term war footing.  We are making our fight against al-Qai’da and its affiliates sustainable by developing a comprehensive counter-terrorism policy that is more agile and adapted to meet evolving threats.  By necessity, it must draw on every element of our national power and pull together expertise from across our government to design and implement a more effective, long-term counter-terrorism strategy.

With fewer of our resources allocated to counter-insurgency and similar operations, we must seize the opportunities that matter most to our future.  That starts with renewing our foundational relationship with Europe.  Europe is our partner of first resort on almost every critical global challenge, and that partnership delivers results around the world.  It proves the strength of our model of global leadership.  As the world’s pre-eminent security alliance, NATO is a bulwark for peace and security – of its members and partners alike.  Particularly in light of recent events, the NATO alliance and our summit this September will fortify the unshakable bond between Europe and the United States. 

That same commitment to securing our future drives our rebalance to Asia.  We’re strengthening our alliances, investing in regional institutions, and building new economic and security partnerships so that we can advance our interests in the dynamic Asia-Pacific region.  This is not mere rhetoric.  We’re actually dedicating new and additional diplomatic, military, and foreign assistance resources to back up our comprehensive commitment to this region.  President Obama plans to make two trips to the Asia-Pacific region this year to keep our relationships moving forward. 

And yet, let’s be clear, because some have suggested the contrary:  the rebalance to Asia in no way means we are backing away from the Middle East or other areas of our traditional partnership.  I just returned from the Gulf.  The President will be traveling to Saudi Arabia later this month.  And, you all know how frequently Secretary Kerry comes calling.  The bottom line is, promoting a stable and secure Middle East is in fact vital to American interests.  An enduring political solution in Syria would benefit our own security; that’s why we continue to try to bolster the moderate opposition even as we lead humanitarian efforts and oversee the removal of Assad’s chemical weapons.  A lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians would be an anchor of stability in the region and finally end one of the world’s longest conflicts. 

And that’s why Secretary Kerry, at President Obama’s behest, is personally leading the effort to spur both sides at the negotiating table.  Similarly, through tough diplomacy combined with sanctions, we’ve isolated Iran and forced it to begin addressing international concerns about its nuclear program.  With our P5+1 partners, we’re negotiating directly with the Iranians to try to reach a comprehensive solution, which, if successful, will remove one of the greatest global security threats by ensuring that Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon. 

So thus, across a spectrum of our highest priority national security issues, we’re leading with diplomacy.  You are leading with diplomacy.  But, we aren’t just mitigating threats; we’re seizing opportunities, especially when it comes to our international economic agenda:  expanding global prosperity, creating jobs, and ensuring a level playing field for all.  And that’s the second key area for American leadership.  

One of our highest priorities is realizing the game-changing potential of trade agreements that will link the United States more closely to our partners across both oceans.  In the Asia-Pacific, we’re working hard to finalize the Trans-Pacific Partnership and to lock in agreement on a high-standard free trade agreement that will govern one-third of global commerce.  And, we’ve begun to make progress with our partners in Europe to develop a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership that brings our economic cooperation up to the same level as our security alliance. 

As John Podesta emphasized to you yesterday, the Administration is spearheading a government-wide focus on ensuring our clean energy future and addressing climate change, both of which are critical to our security and our prosperity.  The same goes for our efforts to promote sustainable development and to take on the growing challenge of cybersecurity.  These kinds of global concerns can only be met with a global effort—one that marshals the resources and resolve of both the public and private sectors, and which depends on the sustained, high-level diplomatic engagement that only you can provide.       

In Africa—home to six of the world’s ten fastest growing economies—we’re building partnerships that will expand economic and development opportunities.  President Obama sees Africa as fertile ground where smart investments can have outsized impacts.  And that’s why President Obama is hosting the first-ever U.S. Summit with African heads of state this August, here in Washington.  And it’s why he is committed to signature initiatives that will advance shared goals such as Power Africa, to double access to electricity across sub-Saharan Africa; the Young African Leaders Initiative to invest in Africa’s citizens; and our ongoing work to foster peace, food security, health, and democratic progress across the continent. 

Closer to home, Latin America and the Caribbean hold enormous potential to become ever stronger drivers of the global economy, if we can expand economic inclusion and remove the barriers that constrain growth.  Last month, I joined President Obama at the North American Leaders Summit in Mexico, where we are laying the groundwork, in partnership with Canada and Mexico, to make ours the most prosperous, secure and competitive region in the world.  We’re working with partners throughout the hemisphere to make our student exchange program, 100,000 Strong in the Americas, a reality. 

We’re cooperating to make progress on practical issues, from lowering energy costs in Central America and the Caribbean to reducing inequality and expanding the middle class by promoting innovative conditional cash transfer programs that help families send their children to school, alleviate hunger, or even purchase their first home.  With regard to Cuba, that means pursuing creative new policies that encourage positive change and improve human rights on the island, because ultimately, the Cuban people will benefit from more contact with Americans, not less. 

Finally, I want to touch on our bedrock commitment to advancing human rights and human dignity.  America stands proudly for the rights of all human beings – including women, the LGBT community, and religious and ethnic minorities.  We defend the freedom of all people to live and worship as they choose.  We champion open government and civil society and fight corruption.  We bolster freedom of assembly and a free press. 

And, while it’s neither effective nor desirable to advance human rights through the barrel of a gun, we recognize that there are times, such as when the threat of mass atrocities is imminent, that it is appropriate to join with others in using force to protect the innocent.  That is what our values demand.  It is also profoundly in our interest to strengthen the union of nations that respect universal rights. 

At times, we are compelled to make tough choices when the immediate need to defend our national security requires us to work with governments that do not share our fundamental commitment to human rights.  No one knows that better than all of you.  We look to you to strike the extremely difficult balance that both preserves critical bilateral relationships and champions the values we most cherish, because our commitment to democracy and human rights roundly reinforces our national security. 

So, even when it is politically difficult, we ask you to find new ways to empower those who are most marginalized in their societies.  In those almost eighty countries around the world where we find laws and policies that persecute or discriminate against members of the LGBT community, we need you to be a clarion voice— to decry laws that would lock people up because of who they love and to find new ways to protect vulnerable members of the LGBT community.  We need you to combat restrictions, also, that close space for civil society.  And, we need you to be the early-warning tripwire where an atrocity is looming so we can strive to prevent it.

The majority of the world’s population is still struggling to realize a better future.  In developing countries, we seek opportunities to expand our partnerships to improve the well-being of all citizens.  We’re particularly keen to partner with communities that are investing in their own people—from improving maternal health and child nutrition to achieving the goal globally of an AIDS-free generation.  In fragile states, we are seeking better ways to help manage crises while working to strengthen the state’s foundations over the long term.  In countries transitioning to democracy, we must help them navigate the difficult choices they must make without dictating the outcomes. 

Think back on those harrowing images just a few weeks ago from Kyiv’s Independence Square—a city on fire, security forces storming the streets, snipers picking off protestors.  And yet, the ranks of Ukrainians filling the Square only grew.  Today, that Square is a memorial to their bravery.  Lamp posts that bear the scars of bullets, ground charred by fire, makeshift barricades made holy by piles of flowers and photographs of the fallen—all are a testament to the indomitable human spirit.  I was particularly moved to hear the story Secretary Kerry told after visiting the Square—about the young man who, having traveled to Australia and seeing the rights others enjoy, joined the Maidan protesters because he was determined that Ukrainians should share in them too. 

Keep in mind that man in the Square who wants only the same basic security and opportunity that we enjoy as a human being with the same aspirations that we have.  Remember the woman who asks only for an equal shot to live up to her potential.  Remember the children who are desperate to grow up healthy and assured of their own self-worth.  In an age of borderless threats and boundless possibilities, our own future and security are inextricably linked to theirs. So, it’s our job to make sure the United States remains the strongest and most effective global leader – for all of our sakes. 

The world looks to the United States.  What’s more, the world counts on the United States.  They, and we, need you – to guide and represent this unique nation – to ensure we remain the exceptional global leader we have always been.  So thank you. Thank you for all you do every day on behalf of the American people.

Thank you for helping us better this great nation that we are all so proud to serve.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 11, 2014

Readout of the Vice President’s Meetings and Engagements in Chile

While in Chile to attend the inauguration of President Michelle Bachelet, Vice President Biden met with leaders from across Latin America yesterday and today to discuss a range of important issues facing the Americas.

Yesterday, Vice President Biden met with President Bachelet to discuss a number of bilateral issues, including Chile's recent entry into the Visa Waiver Program. They also discussed the current status of Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations and the situation in Venezuela. The Vice President told President Bachelet that President Obama and he look to her as a key regional and global leader and a crucial partner. The Vice President also sought her advice on the United States’ engagement in the Americas.

The Vice President also met yesterday with former President Sebastián Piñera of Chile to discuss a full range of bilateral, regional, and global issues. The Vice President thanked former President Piñera for his leadership and stewardship of the United States-Chile partnership, which has never been stronger.

In the Vice President’s meeting with President Ollanta Humala of Peru, the two discussed the United States-Peru partnership and various regional issues. They compared notes on the status of Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, Peru's upcoming hosting of a key global climate change summit, developments with the Alliance of the Pacific, the situation in Venezuela, and our shared efforts in the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime.

Vice President Biden spoke with President José Mujica of Uruguay as well, and discussed our strong bilateral relationship and intent to deepen our engagement and find new opportunities to advance our shared agenda.

In the Vice President’s conversation with President Horacio Cartes of Paraguay, the two discussed developments in Paraguay, and President Cartes' efforts to attract more investment from the United States.

Today, Vice President Biden met with President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia. They spoke about Colombia's peace process and continued fight against narcotraffickers, our growing economic and energy cooperation, and the situation in Venezuela.

Vice President Biden also spoke with President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil today to discuss regional issues and opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

In the Vice President’s conversation with President Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico, he congratulated President Peña Nieto for Mexico's apprehension of cartel kingpin Chapo Guzman, and they discussed our countries’ joint commitment to deliver concrete progress out of the North American Leaders Summit.

The Vice President also had the chance to speak with a number of other leaders, including President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner of Argentina, and President Rafael Correa of Ecuador.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 11, 2014

Daily Briefing by the Press Secretary Jay Carney, 03/11/14

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

12:47 P.M. EDT

MR. CARNEY:  Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.  Welcome to the White House.  I don't have any announcements at the top, so I'll go straight to the Associated Press.  Julie.

Q    Thanks, Jay.  Does the White House believe, as Senator Feinstein said this morning, that the CIA improperly searched a Senate Intel Committee computer network?

MR. CARNEY:  Here’s what I can tell you.  This is a matter involving protocols established in 2009 for the interaction between committee staff and CIA staff and officials as part of the investigation the committee was undergoing.  There have been periodic disputes about that process and, as you know, this is under investigation, these matters are under two separate investigations -- an IG review as well as a referral to the Department of Justice.  So I'm not going to provide an analysis or assessment about --

Q    That referral to the Department of Justice is not necessarily an investigation.  Are you confirming there’s now an investigation --

MR. CARNEY:  No, I'm not.  I would refer you to the Justice Department for any action they may or may not take.  But I'm saying that this is because of a referral because of the IG review.  In terms of allegations about activity, I'm not going to get into that.  What I can say is that -- you saw the CIA Director say today that if there was any inappropriate activity by the CIA or SSCI staff he would, of course, want to get to the bottom of it.  And certainly the President would agree with that.

Q    But John Brennan was really careful in his language this morning.  He said there hadn’t been any CIA hacking of the Senate Intel computer network.  Can you at least say that the White House was aware that there was a search that happened, whether or not you believe it was proper?

MR. CARNEY:  Any specifics about the charges I'm not going to get into.  What I can tell you is a couple of things.  First, it’s important to stand back and look at what we're talking about here.  We are talking about an investigation into activities that occurred under the previous administration that then candidate Barack Obama strenuously opposed, that he promised to end and which he ended very shortly after being sworn into office.  He supports -- the President does and the administration does -- the committee’s investigation, its work.  In fact, the President has made clear he seeks the declassification of the findings of that report when it is completed.  So I think that's important as a starting point.

And again, when it comes to the interactions between the agency, on the one hand, and the committee, on the other, these are matters that are under review by an IG and are the subject of a referral to the Justice Department, so I'm not going to get into specifics about allegations.

Q    Senator Feinstein said that in 2010, when the CIA, she alleges, took documents off of this computer network, she brought this to the White House, had a conversation with the White House counsel.  Do you know if she’s brought this matter of the January search to the White House counsel?

MR. CARNEY:  Again, I don't have -- well, I don't have a specific readout of any meeting.  What I can say is the White House counsel would get involved in this kind of discussion about this process because of institutional concerns surrounding these matters, again, even in this case, matters that involve a previous administration or previous White House.

Q    So the White House counsel has been involved in conversations about this January search?

MR. CARNEY:  That's not what I said.  I don't have a specific --

Q    You said they would be involved.

MR. CARNEY:  Again, they would be involved in discussions about some of the issues between the committee and the CIA because of institutional concerns involving prerogatives and national security issues, again, having to do with the previous administration or previous White House.

Q    And has the President or any senior staff spoken to John Brennan about this matter?

MR. CARNEY:  Well, let me just say, folks here and in the administration have been in regular consultation with Chairman Feinstein about the broader issues here.  We’ve made clear that we want to see the report’s findings declassified.  And obviously, there have been conversations as a routine matter between the administration, the White House, the Director and the Chairman.

Mark.

Q    I wanted to ask you about Malaysia briefly.  Is the FBI not sending a team?  Have the other U.S. officials participating in the investigation arrived and made any reports yet that you can talk about?  And also, could you comment on the Iranian origin of the two individuals who appear to have used stolen passports to board the flight?

MR. CARNEY:  What I can tell you is that the United States government is in communication across agencies and with international partners to provide any appropriate assistance in the investigation.  Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration have arrived in the region to provide necessary assistance -- any necessary assistance.  The FBI is involved, also providing assistance.  But in terms of officials that have arrived, that’s from the NTSP and the FAA. 

Also, the 7th Fleet has sent assets to assist in search efforts.  These include a PC-3 Orion aircraft from the Kadena Airbase in Okinawa, which has long-range search radar and communications capabilities to contribute to the search efforts. In addition to the USS Pinckney, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, the USS Kidd, an Arleigh Burke-class missile destroyer, is now in the vicinity and they have helicopters equipped for search efforts on board.

The Pinckney and Kidd are working alongside a host of other nations -- U.S., China, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam and Australia.  As of this morning, there are a total of 22 fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft and 40 ships that are searching for Flight 370.  So this is an international effort.

On the matter that you raised in terms of the passports, I can tell you that we do not have enough information -- and this was the case yesterday -- to comment on the causes of this incident.  I would note what Interpol has said about those issues involving the fraudulent passports, but we don’t have any information at this point yet that would allow us to make a conclusion about the cause.

Q    On Ukraine, the United States is today conducting joint air drills in Poland and, apparently, also planning joint exercises with Bulgaria and Romania in the Black Sea.  What, if any, message should Russia draw from those exercises?

MR. CARNEY:  Well, first of all, that we obviously have provided stepped-up assistance to those countries, in this case, and this is part of our effort to work with our international partners and allies and to speak in a clear voice, together, that the actions taken by Russia to intervene militarily in contravention of international law and in violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity is something that we all oppose.

So we are working to see if the Russians are willing to resolve this matter diplomatically.  Secretary Kerry has been in regular contact with Foreign Minister Lavrov; they spoke again today.  And those conversations will continue. 

In the meantime, as we’ve made clear, there have been and there will be costs to Russia’s action.  And we have a flexible tool in the executive order that the President signed that will allow us to calibrate the cost depending on the decisions that Russia makes, depending on whether or not Russia decides to avail itself of an opportunity here to pursue its concerns in Ukraine in a peaceful, diplomatic way.

Q    On to a domestic issue, if I could -- this is about the GM recall.  This is a recall affecting something like 1.6 million cars for a flaw that was responsible for 13 deaths, of problems first reported 10 years ago, and Congress is now investigating the regulator’s response.  Is the White House satisfied with the way the regulator handled this?

MR. CARNEY:  Well, I can tell you that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a formal investigation into whether GM shared the information they had about this issue as quickly as they should have.  So since that investigation has been opened, I would have to refer you to the NHTSA for more details.

Q    Thanks.

MR. CARNEY:  Jim.

Q    Getting back to Senator Feinstein’s comments, she said earlier this morning, “the CIA just went and searched the committee’s computer.”  Is it the White House position that she’s wrong?

MR. CARNEY:  Jim, as I think I just said, there’s a review by an Inspector General, there’s a referral to the Department of Justice, so I’m not going to comment on specific allegations about the disputes over the protocols that were established in 2009.

Q    Senator Feinstein is pretty careful about what she says and does not say on the Senate floor.  For her to go -- for the Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee to go to the floor and make that kind of serious allegation, it just seems that it would warrant a stronger response from this White House as to whether or not it’s true, not just come back with, we’ll get back to you on this.

MR. CARNEY:  No, that’s not what I said, Jim.  I think you might have noted that the Director of the CIA gave an interview today in which he addressed these issues on the record.

Q    -- on hacking.  She’s saying searching computers.

MR. CARNEY:  He was asked many questions by one of Chuck’s colleagues and answered them I think forthrightly.  So I would point you to the CIA Director’s comments.  And then I would note that there is an active Inspector General review of this matter; there is referral to the Department of Justice, so I can refer you to the Justice Department. 

And I can say that, again, the White House’s perspective on this is reflected in the fact that we have made clear to the committee that we support declassification of the findings of the report.  That report, as I understand it, again, looking at what the CIA Director said today, has not been submitted for declassification yet.  But we support that process.  After all, this is an investigation into practices that the President strongly opposed, that he made clear that were inconsistent with our values as a nation and that he ended shortly after taking office.

Q    And getting back to Crimea, you mentioned that Secretary Kerry and Foreign Minister Lavrov had spoken.  Have the Russians acknowledged these moves that they’ve taken in Crimea?  I know that as of late last week, there were still some questions as to whether they’d even acknowledged having forces in Crimea.  Has President Putin acknowledged this?  Has the Foreign Minister acknowledged this?
MR. CARNEY:  It’s fair to say -- and this is reflected in public comments -- that there is a disagreement about basic facts and, on the one hand, you have the facts as we know them, that are clearly established and that are agreed to by people around the region and the world, and then the facts being asserted by Russian government officials that just don’t reflect what’s actually happened.  And, again, as I’ve said over the past week, the reports about lawlessness or abuse of Russian ethnic Ukrainians in Eastern Ukraine have no credible foundation as far as we can say. 

Q    No progress has been made on just agreeing on what the facts are?
MR. CARNEY:  Well, our focus is on resolving this diplomatically and peacefully.  We acknowledge that Russia has real interests in Ukraine, and deep, historical, cultural and economic ties to Ukraine.  And we believe that it is entirely appropriate and possible for Ukraine to integrate further with Europe, which is what so many Ukrainians desire, and even as it does so, maintain its very close and important relationship and ties to Russia.  That is as it should be, in our view, and it is as it should be because it is what the Ukrainian people have expressed they want. 

What is not acceptable is a violation of Ukrainian sovereignty, a violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity.  And that is what we have seen.  And we are working very hard diplomatically on an effort to have the Russians pursue an off-ramp here -- to take an off-ramp here so that these disputes can be resolved diplomatically.  If the concern here is about the plight of ethnic Russians in Crimea or in other parts of Ukraine, there is a way to address that that does not require the illegal mobilization of foreign troops or the annexation of -- an illegal annexation of the sovereign territory of another state.

Q    And can I ask you very quickly about healthcare.gov?  I notice you’re not “standing between two ferns,” but I just wanted -- does the President have an expectation as to where you’re going to be -- do you guys have an expectation as to where you’re going to be at the end of this month?  I know we might here some enrollment numbers later today. 

MR. CARNEY:  I believe that’s the case that CMS will be releasing figures through February.  There’s been some reporting that I think already indicates roughly where we’re going to be.  And we’re confident in this final month of the open enrollment period that a lot of Americans are going to sign up and that a lot of young Americans are going to sign up.  We saw that in earlier numbers, that the growth in enrollments is substantial in the 18-34 age category, and we expect that to continue.

The President’s interview with Zach Galifianakis on Between Two Ferns was designed to reach Americans where they live.  And they watch the show in huge numbers -- I think the average video gets something like 6 million views.  I'm convinced we're going to break that average.  And in fact, as I was walking out here, I think we were close to 3 million, and that's a good thing.  More importantly, we have seen that Funny or Die -- at least, again, as I was walking out here -- was the number-one referral to healthcare.gov -- referral source late this morning.  So that's a good thing.  We're engaged in an effort to reach every -- what did you say?

Q    -- everything else --

MR. CARNEY:  I think what it says is that gone are the days when your broadcasts, or yours, or yours, can reach everybody that we need to reach.  And --  

Q    You bring in Zach Galifianakis and all your problems are solved?

MR. CARNEY:  I didn’t say that.  We're involved in a multifaceted effort to reach communities out there of folks who can benefit from quality, affordable health insurance, can avail themselves of the options that they’ll find on healthcare.gov.  And we're looking for creative ways to do that.  This was one of them.

Q    -- explain that, though?  If it's the number-one referral -- like how many referrals did you get from that?  What does that mean?

MR. CARNEY:  CMS might have it.  It means that --

Q    Today, they would --

MR. CARNEY:  Since it went live, the number of referrals to healthcare.gov or site referrals was highest from Funny or Die, as I understand it. 

Q    -- information on how many referrals you got from Zach Galifianakis?

MR. CARNEY:  I don't have a specific number.  The point is not the number within a few hours, but that very quickly this video went viral and that -- not just because people thought it was funny and the regular viewers of Funny or Die clicked on it and watched it, but that it was getting folks -- the video itself was causing the action that we hoped it would cause, which is getting folks to go to healthcare.gov and look at the options available to them and hopefully enroll. 

Q    Can you make sure we get those numbers?  Because we need to be able to verify.  You can't just say this is where all the referrals are coming from without a number to back that up.

MR. CARNEY:  We’ll get you the information we have on it.  I mean it's -- we'll get you the information we have.  This is part of an effort to enroll as many people as we can before the open enrollment period [ends].  And you’ll obviously judge very critically when the time comes how we've done in that effort, as you have all along.  I can assure you that the Funny or Die video will be one of the reasons we get young Americans to healthcare.gov, one of the reasons we get young Americans to enroll in health insurance programs, but not the only way.

Q    Jay, how much discussion was there in the White House about the dignity of the office and whether or not -- in order to reach these people who don't watch us at 6:30 p.m., or who don't watch this briefing -- how much -- the balance there, how much the dignity of the office might be lost?  This was an interview like no other probably ever done by a President. 

MR. CARNEY:  Safe to say.

Q    So how much discussion was there in the White House about this?

MR. CARNEY:  We're constantly looking at different ways to reach Americans who don't necessarily get information about healthcare.gov from evening news broadcasts or from the newspapers, but who might either watch the town hall we did last week with Spanish-language networks, or watch Funny or Die, or watch some of the other things we've done -- the webMD interview that we're doing, and get the information they need or at least get motivated to find the information they need to decide whether or not they’re going to enroll.

Q    I understand the purpose, but was the presidency in any way -- the presidency -- damaged or --

MR. CARNEY:  No.

Q    -- lost dignity because of this?

MR. CARNEY:  I mean, we obviously assess opportunities that we have and look at whether or not they’re going to be successful and wise.  I think we made the right call here.

Q    Did the President know the questions that were going to be asked?  Was it a comedy routine that was done in advance, or was this an actual interview?  How much did he know about what going to happen?

MR. CARNEY:  I think we knew that there would be an opportunity to talk about healthcare.gov -- as the President says in it, that's why he was doing it -- and sort of loosely what the interview might look like.  But there’s a lot of adlibbing in there.

Q    Would you call it scripted, or no?

MR. CARNEY:  I don't get into -- you can ask the Funny or Die people.  I can tell you there’s a lot of adlibbing. 

Q    On the CIA allegations from Senator Feinstein, two things are on the table -- a violation of the 4th Amendment, alleged; violation of an executive order against domestic spying, alleged -- serious allegations.  Do either of those raise in the President’s mind doubts about what the CIA has done on his watch or John Brennan’s leadership of the agency?

MR. CARNEY:  The President has great confidence in John Brennan and confidence in our intelligence community and in professionals at the CIA.  On the specific matters that you correctly noted are alleged, they’re under review and I'm not going to comment on particulars of matters that are under review. I would point you to what the Director of the CIA said today publicly.

Q    You mentioned that this administration is supportive of declassification of the Senate report.  As you know, there are responses from the CIA to that Senate report, also classified, and a separate report that was ordered by Leon Panetta when he was CIA Director, also classified.  Does this administration support the declassification of those other two sources of information and back-and-forth about the underlying question?

MR. CARNEY:  I don't have an answer to the questions about other reports.  What I can tell you is we support declassification of the findings of the Senate Select Intelligence Committee report and that that review or report is still being worked on, as I understand it, and has not yet been completed and, thus, submitted for assessment and declassification, which obviously is an important process because of the matters that are subject of the review.

But we strongly support that, and we strongly -- again, let’s remember what this is about.  This is about so-called enhanced interrogation techniques that this President made very clear he opposed as a candidate and when he was in the Senate, that he pledged to end because he did not believe the techniques were consistent with our values as a nation and that he did end very soon after taking the oath of office.

Q    Well, let me follow the logic of the President supporting the CIA and the CIA Director.  Brennan said at the Council of Foreign Relations this morning that the Senate report has a lot of things which he disagrees with -- contentions, point of facts.  He said there were nuances missed.  So for the public’s understanding of this issue why not also support declassification of the CIA answers and the Panetta report --

MR. CARNEY:  I'll take the question, Major.  What I know is we support and have long supported the declassification of the findings of the SSCI report.  What I also would point -- we're talking about the findings here, and that would be findings and assessments and conclusions that you just noted.  But on the other matters, I'll have to take the question.

Q    Okay.  On Ukraine, can you help us understand if there is something you're trying to tell the international community, and specifically Vladimir Putin, when you say that Russia has real interests in Ukraine, deep historical ties?  Is there a way that this can be finessed so that Crimea stays a part of Ukraine but Russian interests are politically recognized in a more visible way or a more palatable way to Russia?  In other words, that this can be solved while meeting both the interests of now a government that’s not only patrolling the streets, cutting off the Internet, shutting down all media, putting a complete stranglehold on a part of a sovereign nation -- can you get them to back away from that and find a way to thread a needle diplomatically and politically?  Is that the ultimate goal here? And if that is the ultimate goal, can you explain what that might look like?

MR. CARNEY:  The goal is to see the situation deescalate and for the Russian military personnel that are in Crimea to return to their bases and to return to levels that are consistent with the basing agreement Russia has with Ukraine, and for all violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty by a foreign nation and violations of Ukraine’s territorial integrity to cease. 

What we’re talking about when we say that we absolutely recognize that Russia has interests in Ukraine and they include in Crimea, we’re referring specifically to the Black Sea Fleet base, for example, which is in Crimea, a Russian naval base, as part of an agreement with the sovereign nation of Ukraine and that we completely respect that.  And that’s consistent with our support for the Budapest Memorandum of 1994 that establishes that agreement, and is consistent with the way we’ve approached this challenge. 

We’re also sympathetic to concerns that Russia has as a general matter when it comes to either Russian nationals or ethnic Russians in Ukraine and whether or not their rights are being protected.  And that’s why we support dialogue between the Russian and Ukrainian government with international partners as part of a process that would lead to sending of international monitors from the OSCE or the United Nations who can on the ground assess whether or not the rights of ethnic Russians in Eastern Ukraine or Crimea or anywhere else are in jeopardy or being violated. 

We have noted that thus far reports that that is happening haven’t proven to be credible, but we would certainly make clear and have made clear that it is our expectation that the Ukrainian government honor the rights of all of its citizens.

Q    Does there come a point where Russian behavior in Crimea -- meaning these patrols, the cutting off of media, blocking of the Internet -- erases their legitimate other interests there because they have acted as an international bully?

MR. CARNEY:  I think the best way to look at this, Major, is that there is an opportunity here to prevent the situation from becoming more acute and to prevent the cost to Russia from becoming even higher. 

There have been and there will be costs for the actions that Russia has already taken by intervening militarily in a sovereign state.  We’ve talked about those at least from the United States. We’ve seen actions taken by the European Union.  And as you know, we are able to, because of the powers spelled out in the executive order, calibrate sanctions and other actions depending on the steps that Russia takes. 

As I noted, I think yesterday, there are a lot of costs here associated with Russia’s decision to take this action in violation of international law.  It is certainly not in Russia’s long-term interests to have a destabilized Ukraine.  It is not in Russia’s interests to find itself isolated from international opinion on these matters, and certainly not in Russia’s interests economically to see investors around the world think twice about whether or not Russia is the proper environment for further investment given the actions that Russia has taken and the international reaction to those actions.  So we are urging Russia to work with the international community to pursue a path of deescalation and a path of dialogue with the Ukrainian government so that these matters can be resolved.

Ed.

Q    Jay, on the CIA, you started out by saying you can’t say much because the Inspector General of the CIA is investigating this.  How can we trust the CIA to investigate itself on whether it covered up something?

MR. CARNEY:  Ed, you know that inspectors general are independent, correct?

Q    They’re supposed to be, by law.

MR. CARNEY:  Are you doubting his independence or her independence?

Q    In general, inspectors general independence has been questioned, yes.  So you’re confident the CIA Inspector General will get to the bottom of it?

MR. CARNEY:  I think that there is an inspector general review, an IG review underway.  As I mentioned, there is also a referral to the Department of Justice.  And so, since these matters are generally under investigation, I’m not going to get into specific allegations.  I would also point you to what the Director of the CIA himself said about these matters, which is that, “If there was any inappropriate actions that were taken related to that review either by CIA or by the SSCI staff” -- that’s the committee staff -- “I’d be the first to say we need to get to the bottom of it.”  And certainly, as a general principle, we support that view. 

Q    But would the White House consider an independent counsel, or you’re confident the CIA can handle this?

MR. CARNEY:  I think you’re, as a general matter, impugning the independence of inspectors general around town.

Q    Well, I’m asking would you consider an independent counsel?

MR. CARNEY:  I would note that you cited inspector general reports frequently in the past.  But I think that this is under review.

Q    You also correctly pointed out that the alleged abuses on detention that are in the report, the detention abuses happened under the Bush administration.  However, a Democratic Senator, Dianne Feinstein, is alleging that Senate aides’ computer files were gone through by the CIA, as was suggested earlier, during the Obama administration.  Is the White House Counsel involved at all in conducting a review to make sure that the administration itself knows exactly what happened?

MR. CARNEY:  The Inspector General is conducting a review, and there is a referral to the Department of Justice.  That is, in each -- I mean, certainly with the Inspector General that’s the appropriate avenues for these things -- by which these things can be investigated and reviewed.  I noted earlier the role that White House Counsel has played in discussions about the process and disputes about the process since protocols were put in place in 2009, but when it comes to an investigation -- or a review, as it’s called by the IG -- that’s for the IG to do.

Q    Last one, then.  If you take a step back from this particular investigation, over the last year or so the American people have seen that the surveillance by the NSA was a lot wider than originally suggested to the American people, that reporters’ phone records at the AP and FOX were gone through, and that now we’re hearing that maybe Senate aides had their computer files gone through.  Why should the American people trust some of these intelligence agencies?

MR. CARNEY:  Again, Ed, when it comes to this specific set of allegations and reports that are under review, I can’t comment on them, and I won’t.  What I can say is that we support what Director Brennan said today, which is that if there’s any inappropriate actions that are discovered through the process of these reviews, we would -- we support what the Director said about getting to the bottom of it.

Q    I guess what I don’t understand -- is the administration not troubled -- this is not Darrell Issa making this allegation; this is Dianne Feinstein, Mark Udall, Patrick Leahy, Harry Reid all taking the Senate floor, making this allegation of the CIA.  Is the President even troubled by the allegation?  I mean, you have been very careful not to comment at all.  I would assume that when Democratic senators -- and if he were still one, my guess is he would be on the floor raising this same eyebrow. 

MR. CARNEY:  Chuck, I mean, obviously the President is generally aware of the disputes that have --

Q    He’s aware, but not troubled?

MR. CARNEY:  I’m not going to characterize his point of view on allegations that are under investigation.  What I can say as a general matter is that everyone in this administration supports the perspective that Director Brennan expressed to Andrea Mitchell a couple of hours ago about the fact that if there’s any inappropriate activity that’s uncovered by these investigations, that he would support getting to the bottom of it.  So that’s certainly our view, it’s the administration’s view.

Q    But this seems to be, then, either he’s not running the CIA and he’s got folks that are being rogue underneath him and doing this without him, or he’s been involved in this.

MR. CARNEY:  You’re basing a question on a hypothetical about an outcome of an investigation.

Q    It’s not a hypothetical.  Dianne Feinstein is the Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee making this allegation.

MR. CARNEY:  The allegation -- absolutely, the allegation exists and it’s under investigation.

Q    This is not -- again, this is not Darrell Issa; this is not some partisan hit.

MR. CARNEY:  Absolutely.  And we work very closely with Chairman Feinstein and --

Q    But protects everything else, been very supportive of most of the controversial intelligence decisions that’s made by this administration.  So one would think she’s got a lot of credibility here if she’s going to make an allegation like that.

MR. CARNEY:  And what I would say is that, appropriately, these matters are under review by the authorities that are supposed to review them, and that I’m not going to make an assessment about allegations that are under review or investigation.

Q    How long has the President been aware of these allegations?  Is it since Udall wrote the letter --

MR. CARNEY:  I don’t have a specific conversation involving anyone here to report except to say that there is general communication obviously between the Chairman and the White House and the Director on a range of issues, including matters involving the SSCI report.

Q    But it’s fair to say it seems the President accepts Director Brennan’s answers on this more so -- it seems that Director Brennan is more credible than Dianne Feinstein here?  I mean, that’s what it sounds like.

MR. CARNEY:  Chuck, I invite you to make judgments.  That’s partly what you’re paid to do.  What I can tell you is that’s not what I said.  I said that we are not making assessments publicly about allegations that have been made.  We are interested in making sure that the proper authorities review and investigate them, and if there is any inappropriate activity we would want to get to the bottom of it.

Q    Is the President confident that Director Brennan has been straightforward with him about his version of events on this?

MR. CARNEY:  The President has great confidence in Director Brennan, yes.

Q    He’s confident on his version of events?

MR. CARNEY:  Yes -- well, he’s confident in Director Brennan.  I haven’t been privy to conversations between him and the President on -- and I’m not getting into specific conversations about specific subjects except to say that in general there have been communications between the White House, the Committee Chairman and the Director.

Q    Just to go back -- Senator Feinstein is alleging a violation of separation of powers.

MR. CARNEY:  Your colleagues are beginning to look pained, Chuck.

Q    I understand that, but you have been very sort of blasé and not answering.  It just seems like if a U.S. senator is making an allegation -- a U.S. senator that’s normally on your side -- an allegation that there’s a violation of separation of powers here, that’s pretty serious.

MR. CARNEY:  We take everything she says very seriously, and we take this seriously.  But I’m not going to comment on matters that are under investigation or review by the appropriate authorities. 

Yes.

Q    How do you expect this fallout with Russia over Ukraine to affect cooperation on Syria, for example, on cooperation on the destruction of the CW and on the peace process?

MR. CARNEY:  We obviously have very important cooperation with Russia on the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons.  We have important cooperation with Russia on other matters, including the issues that are subject to negotiation with the P5-plus-1 and Iran’s nuclear program.  And we intend to continue to work with all of our partners on those issues.  And I would note, with regard to the matter of Syria’s chemical weapons that Russia has played a leading role in making a commitment on behalf of the Assad regime that those chemical weapons stockpiles would be gathered together, removed from the country and destroyed.  And so Russia has responsibilities to the international community to fulfill those commitments.

And having said that, we’re obviously very clear about our views of the actions that Russia has taken in Ukraine, in particular in Crimea, and are very blunt about those views.

We are also very clear in our dealings with Russian officials that there is an avenue here to deescalate the situation and work with the international community to address the concerns that Russia has, ways that are consistent with international law, consistent with the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Q    Jay --

MR. CARNEY:  Go ahead.

Q    No, just a different question.  Can you share some information with us about Susan Rice’s visit to the United Arab Emirates, a meeting with the Saudis, and whether this is in preparation to the President’s visit to Riyadh soon?

MR. CARNEY:  I think we had a readout of that -- of her trip.  I don't have anything more specific on it right now.  I would refer you to the NSC press office.

Zach.

Q    The President has a pair of fundraisers tonight, and recently he’s been warning of complacency among Democrats in the midterm election year.  I was wondering if you could talk a little bit about why that's a worry for him, and what he plans to do -- aside from attending fundraisers -- to shake the Democrats up and make sure they're not complacent?

MR. CARNEY:  Well, he’ll support Democrats and the committees consistent with the way he supported them in the past. I think the observation about complacency is more about statistical reality when it comes to who votes in midterm elections.  And it’s certainly been the case that Democrats tend not to turn out in the same numbers in midterms as Republicans do. 

And so the President and everyone else involved in the effort to support Democratic candidates and incumbents is making the case that it’s really important to turn out and exercise your right to vote, whoever you are.  So that's, I think -- that explains that argument.

And he’s going to do a number of things over the course of the year between now and November to support candidates and support the party.

April.

Q    Jay, could you talk to us about the numbers that are expected to come out?  I know you say CMS, but there’s been a constant call from reporters about the breakdown numbers of those who are enrolling.  Are you really expecting I guess accurate -- as accurate stats as you can get, especially as persons who are enrolling have the option to fill out information about themselves like race, gender, and even age?

MR. CARNEY:  What I can say, April, is that we are careful about making sure that the numbers we release are accurate.  That explains why some of the numbers take some time to gather and vet to make sure that they're accurate.  And that's particularly true when it comes to sort of numbers that are below the topline, not just total enrollments, but how they break down, how they break down by age.

So I would point you to CMS in terms of how they reach those numbers and which numbers they're confident in, in terms of the breakdowns.  In terms of other demographic data, I’m not really sure about that.  I know that we have put out information about  -- in the past about the percentage of enrollees who fall into that 18 to 34 category.  But I would refer you to them in terms of what specifically they're going to release this afternoon.  I think it’s numbers through February, or through March 1st.  In terms of how they break them down, I’d refer you to them.

Q    I say that saying -- because, for instance, this Funny or Die video, there’s a certain core group you’re trying to go after with that video.  Then there was a major push for African Americans.  But it strikes us as odd that you make this push to get these groups to come in, and you cannot quantitatively find which group -- how many people from that group are enrolled.

MR. CARNEY:  Well, I don't know that that's the case, or how long it takes to compile that data or what is available because of the way that folks fill out their information, and the way that insurance companies provide that information.

What I know is that we’re releasing the data that we feel is accurate on a consistent basis.  We’ve done that all along.  And in the end, we’re confident that by the end of this open enrollment period on March 31st we are going to see that a substantial number of Americans enrolled and purchased health insurance, and that the mix will be sufficient to ensure that the marketplace -- and the marketplaces -- functions effectively.

We’ve seen that already with numbers of young Americans hitting a percentage in terms of the overall figure for enrollment that's consistent with what we saw in Massachusetts when they were in their first open enrollment period.  And we’re confident that come March 31st we’re going to see a mix that ensures the effectiveness of the marketplaces.

And every targeted effort that you’re talking about is designed to make sure that's the case, and this is an across-the-board effort and it’s going to continue right up until the end.  But we’re confident that we’re on track to get sufficient numbers and the kind of breakdown demographically that will make sure -- that will ensure that the marketplaces are effective.

Q    But the number from Massachusetts for young people, it wasn’t the number -- that wasn’t your target when you started. 

MR. CARNEY:  No --

Q    In other words, you had a higher target number.

MR. CARNEY:  No, the so-called target was simply a fact about the percentage of people who are uninsured who are young Americans, not the percentage of young Americans you needed to make sure that the demographic pool worked actuarially.  And what you saw in Massachusetts, I think the figure was roughly --

Q    Twenty-five --

MR. CARNEY:  -- 25 to 27 percent is where we were at the same stage in the open enrollment period.

Q    On the CIA torture report, you said that the White House supports declassifying it and releasing it.  Does that include over the objections of the CIA --

MR. CARNEY:  No, I think Director Brennan spoke today about he is awaiting the submission of the report so that they can work to declassify it.  There’s obviously -- with all kinds of reports like these that involve highly classified information, the declassification process is one that has to be engaged in by the agencies involved, in this case CIA.

Q    And some have suggested that the President himself has the authority to do it.  Is there any talk of him --

MR. CARNEY:  I’m not sure that that's the case, but I can tell you that he has made clear to the committee --

Q    Presidents can declassify whatever they want, right?

MR. CARNEY:  Well, that may be the case, Chuck.  The President has made clear as President that he wants to see the findings declassified.  He’s made that clear to the committee.  He’s made that clear to the CIA.  He’s made that clear to everyone.  He’s made it clear to you.

Q    Is there any deadline for that?  There’s been a number of --

MR. CARNEY:  Again, I think we are -- I think the Director is waiting for the submission of the report, so it’s hard to put a deadline on something that they haven’t gotten yet.

Q    And Congress has said that the White House has some of the documents that it’s been asking for.  Will the White House give those over to Congress?

MR. CARNEY:  Again, I don't have -- I’m not aware of that, but I’ll look into it.

Q    Jay, what should Putin’s takeaway be from the President’s meeting tomorrow with the Ukrainian interim Prime Minister?

MR. CARNEY:  That we strongly support Ukraine, the Ukrainian people, and the legitimacy of the new Ukrainian government.

Q    Is the U.S. paying for this guy to come here?  Is he coming on an Air Force plane?  Who is paying for this?

MR. CARNEY:  He’s the Prime Minister of Ukraine.  I would refer you to the government of Ukraine.  I’m not aware of anything besides the fact that he’s coming here to meet with the President.

Q    So, theirs?

MR. CARNEY:  I don't know.

Q    He’s coming under their auspices?

MR. CARNEY:  I haven’t been asked that question or even thought about it.  I would refer you to the government of Ukraine.

Q    Well, you would know if he were coming on a United States Air Force or State --

MR. CARNEY:  I’ll take the question.  I haven’t been asked that question.  I don't know that --

Q    Will you take it?

MR. CARNEY:  Are you saying that -- are you aware that he’s doing that?

Q    No, I’m just asking.

MR. CARNEY:  I would refer you to the government of Ukraine, but I’ll also take the question.

Q    President Abbas is coming next week here.  He is still rejecting Israel’s demand for recognition as a Jewish state.  What’s the White House reaction?

MR. CARNEY:  We recognize that we are approaching a point where the parties will have to make decisions about how to forward, and this means grappling with incredibly difficult and complex issues that have divided them for too long.

Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas have already made courageous, difficult decisions, and that is a testament to their determination to try to resolve this issue.

It is our hope that the Prime Minister and President Abbas can reach past any remaining differences and arrive at a framework that moves the process forward towards peace.  The United States will continue to encourage both parties in that effort.

Specifically to your question, we have been clear that the United States believes a lasting peace will involve two states  -- Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, and the state of Palestine.  We have also been clear that we’re not discussing the details of the negotiations.  These are issues that ultimately the parties have to decide, but suffice it to say that we firmly believe that Israeli and Palestinian needs can be reconciled to produce a just and lasting peace.

Q    I have a follow-up.  The council of the Arab League confirms also its support to President Abbas’s judgment.  Is it a problem for the credibility of the President in the Arab world?

MR. CARNEY:  I can simply repeat what I just said, which is we’re not going to get into the details of the negotiations.  We’ve made our view very clear that a lasting peace will involve two states -- a state of Israel that is Jewish and Democratic, and a state of Palestine.  In terms of the very complex and difficult issues that the two sides have to negotiate, we’re not going to get into the process of those negotiations.

Politico -- last one.

Q    So Senator Feinstein also said that when they were in the midst of, I guess, kind of investigating the situation, they were told that -- that her committee was told by the CIA that the document removal was ordered by the White House, and that the White House responded by denying that there was ever such an order.  And I know you’re obviously not going to comment, as you said throughout the briefing, on ongoing investigations.  But is it at all concerning that a government agency would just try to pawn off what seems like potentially illegal and perhaps unconstitutional action as something that the White House ordered them to do?

MR. CARNEY:  I could diagram that sentence and all the ways that it’s filled with hypotheticals and subjects that are under review, but I won't.  I will simply say that I can’t comment on allegations that are under review.

Q    But it’s not a hypothetical that -- Feinstein said that she --

MR. CARNEY:  Right.  And I said that we take her -- everything she says and her concerns very seriously.

Q    What I’m saying is she said that when she talked to the CIA they said the White House ordered them to take these documents off their server, and then when she talked to the White House they denied that.  So that’s not a hypothetical situation; that’s what she said.

MR. CARNEY:  Well, I don’t have a specific conversation between the Chairman and the White House to confirm or relay to you.  The other issues that you’re talking about are allegations that are subject of a review.  So I can’t -- it would be inappropriate for me to talk about it.

Q    Did Senator Feinstein give this White House any indication beforehand she was going to the Senate floor today to make these allegations?

MR. CARNEY:  I don’t know the answer to that question.
 
Q    Can you take the question?

MR. CARNEY:  I can take the question, but I don’t know the answer to it.

Thanks very much.
 
END
1:37 P.M. EDT